US3596477A - Automatic flexible ice tray - Google Patents

Automatic flexible ice tray Download PDF

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Publication number
US3596477A
US3596477A US790654A US3596477DA US3596477A US 3596477 A US3596477 A US 3596477A US 790654 A US790654 A US 790654A US 3596477D A US3596477D A US 3596477DA US 3596477 A US3596477 A US 3596477A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tray
stop
bar
rotation
upright position
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US790654A
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English (en)
Inventor
Earl K Harley
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
White Consolidated Industries Inc
Original Assignee
White Consolidated Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by White Consolidated Industries Inc filed Critical White Consolidated Industries Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3596477A publication Critical patent/US3596477A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • F25C1/04—Producing ice by using stationary moulds

Definitions

  • Nies and Kurz ABSTRACT An aummatlc lawmaker in which a flexible ice tray is twisted to loosen the ice blocks by rotating one and of the tray while matraining the other end, The continued rotation 0f tlm tirivmi anti nf the tray rele ams the other and of the tray aft r a pmdmfirmilltm twisting motiun ofthe tray hat been qffttnted.
  • a tray drive system in which one end of the tray is motor driven unidirectionally 360 from an uprightposition to an inverted position and then returned to an upright position.
  • the rotary motion of the remote end of the tray is delayed by a positive stop when the tray reaches or approaches its inverted position.
  • Continued rotation of the driven end of thetray twists the tray to release the ice blocks which fall directly into a storage receptacle.
  • the further rotation of the driven end of the tray also actuates a stop release mechanism to free theremote end of the tray for rotation with the driven end of the tray as money assembly is restored to its upright position.
  • the stop mechanism In the nextsucceeding cycle the stop mechanism is positively reset by rotation of the driven end of the tray as it passes between its upright and inverted positions.
  • the mechanism assures that on each cycle thetraywill be given an identical twistingmotion which occurs at the same point in the cycle.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic ice maker incorporating the present invention
  • FIG. 2 i813 top plan view of the ice tray and associated mechanism
  • FIGS. 3 and d are transverse sections talten along lines 3-3 and M of FlCi. it;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section talten along line 5-$ of PK]. 2;
  • FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section taken along lines 6-6 of FlG. 2 showing details of the stop mechanism.
  • the frame assembly comprises a side member 22 secured as by rivets M to a base or end member 26 formed integrally with the opposite side member 27.
  • the side frame members 22 and 27 are provided with inturned flanges 28 and 29 which form a guideway and support for a removable storage bin 30 (FIG. 1).
  • the free ends of the side members 22 and 2'7 are suitably secured to a plastic housing 31 having a removable plastic cover 32.
  • the housing 31 and cover 32 enclose unidirectional motor, a drive train and electrical controls, which may be of conventional construction, and per se form no part of the present invention.
  • the motor drive system is effective to produce rotation of the output shaft 33, which projects through the wall of the housing 31, at a relatively slow rate, for example one-third r.p.m., with relatively high torque.
  • the tray assembly lid is preferably formed of a polypropylene plastic material which is capable of repeated flexing under low temperature conditions.
  • the tray has a number of individual molds or pockets as interconnected by V-shaped channels 38.
  • the channels 38 permit complete filling of the entire tray assembly by supplying water to any selected one of the pockets.
  • a rigid, relatively heavy, plastic fitting indicated generally at A2.
  • the fitting is provided with a boss d3 having a through opening d4 coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the tray 1%.
  • the drive shaft 33 and the boss 43 are provided with mating flats 46 and 48 to provide a positive drive connection between the shaft and the tray assembly.
  • a second rigid plastic fitting 52 having a boss 54 projecting from the rearward face thereof, a reduced cylindrical extension '56 of which is rotatably received in a bearing 58 held in the upper portion of a keyhole opening 60 by a spring 62, the ends of which are hooked over the upper edge of the base 26.
  • the fittings 42. and 52 not only mount the tray for rotation about its longitudinal axisbut also control the twisting action of the tray necessary for loosening the ice blocks for delivery to the storage bin 30. More specifically, the fittings cooperate with a stop mechanism, indicated generally at M, which will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • the stop mechanism 6d comprises essentially an elongated plastic bar as slidably mounted in a pair of plastic guides 68 and '70 secured to each other by a connector bar 72 and secured to the sidewall 22 of the frame 20 as by screws 74.
  • the guides 68 and 70 are provided with friction tongues 76 and '78, respectively, which engage the side surface of the body of the stop bar 66 and are effective to retain the bar in any displaced position and yet permit axial movement of the stop bar under moderate force.
  • the bar 66 is displaced between limit positions determined by stops 80 and 82 by oppositely directed cam members 84 and as adapted to contact the sloping side faces an and of a projection 91 formed integrally on one end of the bar. At its opposite end the bar 66 is provided with an integral upwardly extending projection 92 terminating at its upper end at a flat abutment surface 9d. As the bar is displaced by the cam members 8d and do the abutment surface M is moved into or out of the path of a mating abutmeri'tsu'rface 96 formed on a projection 98 on the tray fitting 52.
  • the mechanism for periodically refilling the tray with water, for activating the drive motor and the related control mechanism may be of conventional construction.
  • the tray has been filled with water and the ice blocks have been'frozen causing an appropriate sensing device to activate the drive motor.
  • This causes the output shaft 33 to rotate slowly in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 to rotate the entire tray assembly correspondingly.
  • the cam member 86 will contact the cam surface 90 to displace the step bar 66 to the left as viewed in FIG. 6 and to the right as viewed in FIG. 2 to dispose the abutment surface 94 in the path of the stop surface 96 on the tray fitting 52.
  • the cam surface 96 then passes over the surface 90 and the bar 66 will remain in its displaced position since there are no appreciable forces to change its position and since it. is held by the friction flngers 76 and 78.
  • the rotation of the tray continues. until the tray becomes fully inverted at which time the stop surface 96 contacts the abutment surface 94.
  • the cam member 84 will contact the surface 88.
  • the driven end of the tray continues to rotate while the remote end of the tray is held against rotation. The tray is thus twisted throughout its full length.
  • the stop bar 66 will be forced to the left as viewed in FIG. 2 or the right as viewed in H6. 6.
  • the abutment surface 94 is withdrawn from contact with the stop surface 96. Because of its inherent resilience the tray will then quickly resume essentially its original shape. Rotation of the tray is then continued until the tray is restored to its upright position at which time the automatic control system deenergizes the drive motor and the tray is again filled with water.
  • a flexible tray rotatably mounted in support structure, means drivingly connected to one end of said tray for rotating said tray about a predetermined axis from an upright position through an inverted position to said upright position, a stop bar movable in a direction parallel to said axis between a first position for blocking rotation of the other end of said tray and a second position permitting rotation of said other end of said tray, and cooperating means on said bar and said one end of said tray for displacing said bar between said first and second positions upon rotation of said tray.
  • said lastmentionsd means comprises cam surfaces on said bar and on said one end of said tray, said am surfaces being effective during a first portion of the rotation of said tray to move said step bar to said first position and being effective during a subsequent portion of rotation of said tray to move said step bar to said second position.
  • step bar is essentially the same as said tray and wherein said step bar has an abutment surface adjacent one end thereof adapted to engage a step surface on said tray when said bar is in said flrst position and wherein said cam surfaces are formed at the opposite end of said step bar.
  • An automatic ice maker comprising a frame assembly, a flexible ice tray mounted in said frame assembly for rotation about a predetermined axis.
  • unidirectional drive means for rotating one end of said tray to move said tray from an upright position, through an inverted position and then to said upright position, a stop movable between a flrst position for positively arresting movement of the other end of said tray adjacent said inverted position and a second position for permitting movement of said other end of said tray. and cooperating means mechanically connected to said one end of said tray and with said step for moving said stop to said second position and thereafter returning said step to said first position.
  • a flexible tray rotatably mounted in said support structure, unidirectional drive means connected to one end of said tray for rotating said tray about a predetermined axis from an upright position through an inverted position to said upright position, a stop member movable in a direction parallel to said axis between a first position for blocking rotation of the other end of said tray and a second position permitting rotation of said other end of said tray, and means driven by said drive means for displacing said stop member between said first and second positions during operation ofsaid drive means.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
US790654A 1969-01-13 1969-01-13 Automatic flexible ice tray Expired - Lifetime US3596477A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US79065469A 1969-01-13 1969-01-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3596477A true US3596477A (en) 1971-08-03

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US790654A Expired - Lifetime US3596477A (en) 1969-01-13 1969-01-13 Automatic flexible ice tray

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US3596477A (no)
JP (1) JPS508224B1 (no)
AU (1) AU1009870A (no)
GB (1) GB1288201A (no)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060266065A1 (en) * 2005-05-27 2006-11-30 Maytag Corporation Refrigerator icemaker with raised perimeter walls
US20100101261A1 (en) * 2007-02-12 2010-04-29 Jong-Seok Yoon Ice making device and refrigerator
DE102009000664A1 (de) 2009-02-06 2010-08-12 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Eisbereiter
US20110296863A1 (en) * 2009-02-09 2011-12-08 Dometic Sweden Ab Ice maker and method of producing pieces of ice
US10378806B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2019-08-13 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker
US10605512B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-03-31 Whirlpool Corporation Method of warming a mold apparatus
US20200158405A1 (en) * 2018-11-16 2020-05-21 Lg Electronics Inc. Ice maker and refrigerator
US10690388B2 (en) 2014-10-23 2020-06-23 Whirlpool Corporation Method and apparatus for increasing rate of ice production in an automatic ice maker
US10788251B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-09-29 Whirlpool Corporation Twist harvest ice geometry
US10816253B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-10-27 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker with warm air flow
US10907874B2 (en) 2018-10-22 2021-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Ice maker downspout
USD951305S1 (en) * 2020-01-17 2022-05-10 Lg Electronics Inc. Ice maker for refrigerator
USD952700S1 (en) * 2020-01-17 2022-05-24 Lg Electronics Inc. Ice maker for refrigerator

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3056271A (en) * 1960-05-20 1962-10-02 Philco Corp Ice makers
US3382682A (en) * 1965-10-19 1968-05-14 Whirlpool Co Method for harvesting ice bodies and apparatus for the same

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3056271A (en) * 1960-05-20 1962-10-02 Philco Corp Ice makers
US3382682A (en) * 1965-10-19 1968-05-14 Whirlpool Co Method for harvesting ice bodies and apparatus for the same

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060266065A1 (en) * 2005-05-27 2006-11-30 Maytag Corporation Refrigerator icemaker with raised perimeter walls
US8726686B2 (en) * 2007-02-12 2014-05-20 Lg Electronics Inc. Ice making device and refrigerator
US20100101261A1 (en) * 2007-02-12 2010-04-29 Jong-Seok Yoon Ice making device and refrigerator
DE102009000664A1 (de) 2009-02-06 2010-08-12 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Eisbereiter
WO2010089189A2 (de) 2009-02-06 2010-08-12 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Eisbereiter
US8904816B2 (en) * 2009-02-09 2014-12-09 Dometic Sweden Ab Ice maker and method of producing pieces of ice
US20110296863A1 (en) * 2009-02-09 2011-12-08 Dometic Sweden Ab Ice maker and method of producing pieces of ice
US11131493B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2021-09-28 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker with warm air flow
US10378806B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2019-08-13 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker
US10605512B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-03-31 Whirlpool Corporation Method of warming a mold apparatus
US11725862B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2023-08-15 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker with warm air flow
US10788251B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-09-29 Whirlpool Corporation Twist harvest ice geometry
US10816253B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-10-27 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker with warm air flow
US11598567B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2023-03-07 Whirlpool Corporation Twist harvest ice geometry
US10690388B2 (en) 2014-10-23 2020-06-23 Whirlpool Corporation Method and apparatus for increasing rate of ice production in an automatic ice maker
US11441829B2 (en) 2014-10-23 2022-09-13 Whirlpool Corporation Method and apparatus for increasing rate of ice production in an automatic ice maker
US11808507B2 (en) 2014-10-23 2023-11-07 Whirlpool Corporation Method and apparatus for increasing rate of ice production in an automatic ice maker
US10907874B2 (en) 2018-10-22 2021-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Ice maker downspout
US20200158405A1 (en) * 2018-11-16 2020-05-21 Lg Electronics Inc. Ice maker and refrigerator
USD951305S1 (en) * 2020-01-17 2022-05-10 Lg Electronics Inc. Ice maker for refrigerator
USD952700S1 (en) * 2020-01-17 2022-05-24 Lg Electronics Inc. Ice maker for refrigerator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1288201A (no) 1972-09-06
JPS508224B1 (no) 1975-04-02
AU1009870A (en) 1971-07-08

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